Ocean County man charged when pet dog dies after being kicked, police say

🐶 A Stafford Township man is facing an animal cruelty charge after police said he kicked his dog, which died shortly afterward.

🚔 Stafford police and animal control investigated the circumstances surrounding the dog’s death in Manahawkin.

⚖️ Christopher Cook surrendered to the Ocean County Jail and was released pending future court proceedings.

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP — An Ocean County man has been charged with third-degree animal cruelty, after police said he kicked his dog to death earlier this summer.

Stafford Township man charged in dog’s death

On July 24, police went to a home in Manahawkin after receiving a report that a pet dog had died.

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An investigation revealed that Christopher Cook, 40, allegedly kicked the dog one time, and the animal died a short time later from that kick.

Police did not give details about the dog, as far as breed, name, or age.

Stafford police investigate alleged animal cruelty

The Stafford Township Police Department Detective Bureau conducted a further investigation with Stafford Township Animal Control into the circumstances surrounding the dog’s death.

As a result, Cook was charged with third-degree animal cruelty on Thursday, August 20.

He surrendered himself to the Ocean County Jail two days later where he was processed and released pending future court proceedings.

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